Up to $1 million in grants available; in line with Governor's A Better Bottom Line initiative

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Reggie
Newson today announced that DWD is accepting grant applications from
businesses to train workers with disabilities under Governor Walker's $35.4
expansion of the Wisconsin Fast Forward worker training program. The
expansion is part of the Governor's Blueprint for Prosperity initiative.

Up to $1 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward – Blueprint for Prosperity funds
will be available for innovative workforce solutions to train workers with
disabilities.

"Persons with disabilities have diverse strengths and skills that help
improve a company's bottom line to the benefit of the employer and worker,"
Secretary Newson said. "Governor Walker is committed to developing Wisconsin's
workforce in part through initiatives that encourage employers to hire persons
with disabilities, and his Blueprint for Prosperity initiative invests
additional Wisconsin Fast Forward funds in this key area."

DWD's Office of Skills Development is overseeing the grant implementation in
partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Office
of Veterans Employment Services (OVS). The deadline for applications is
September 16, 2014.

Highlights of the grant announcement include:

Applications are being sought from Wisconsin businesses to train persons
with disabilities.

Potential grants can range from $5,000 to $100,000.

Potential trainees must be currently receiving Supplemental Security Income or
Social Security Disability Insurance and/or veterans with a service-connected
disability, and/or eligible DVR consumers.

OSD will review and evaluate applications and monitor employment and wage
outcomes.

Additional considerations will be given to applications that include the
following:

Working with a DVR Business Service Consultant or OVS Local Veterans
Employment Representative in the recruitment of trainees

Recruiting and training persons with significant disabilities.

Offering community-based employment at a competitive wage.

Committing to inclusive recruitment and hiring practices that include workers
with disabilities after the end of the grant period.

Earlier this year, Governor Walker signed legislation under Blueprint for
Prosperity that added $35.4 million to the Wisconsin Fast Forward worker
training program. The expansion targeted three areas, including grants to reduce
wait lists at Wisconsin technical colleges, grants for collaborative projects
among high schools, technical colleges, and employers to train high school
students in industry-recognized certifications, and grants that enhance
employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.

Under Governor Walker’s Blueprint for Prosperity, the state also is expanding
Project SEARCH, a program helping young people with disabilities transition from
high school to the workplace. The expansion increases the number of
participating businesses by 20, up from seven, over three years.

Governor Walker proclaimed 2014 as the Year of A Better Bottom Line to
encourage and promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities. A
Better Bottom Line is tailored after Delaware Governor Jack Markell’s initiative
with the National Governor’s Association, which details the vast benefits for
employers, employees, and communities.